Grants for start-up and advice

People who are starting up in business from a position of being unemployed may receive support in the start-up phase to ensure their livelihood. For start-up projects in the ALG I category, this is the start-up grant, for people starting up from a position of long-term unemployment, initial financial support may also be paid in addition to the ALG II . For the application, a competent authority (e.g. Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Chamber of Crafts, local institution for economic development, financial institution, tax adviser, accountant, business consultant) needs to examine the business start-up project and confirm start-up capacity. The start-up grant and initial financial support are discretionary, not mandatory, benefits. That means there is no legal right to these benefits. They are granted as part of an individual agreement between the person interested in starting up the business and the person responsible for their case at the employment agency or job centre.

You can find detailed information about starting up from a position of unemployment and funding opportunities from local employment agencies. There is also section dedicated to this issue on the Gesellschaft für innovative Beschäftigungsförderung mbH (G.I.B.) [Association for Innovative Employment Promotion] website: www.gib.nrw.de

With the business advisory programme (BPW), the state of North Rhine-Westphalia subsidises start-up consultancies by independent business consultants. You will receive all the necessary information as well as the option to submit your application to the approved regional contact points (STARTERCENTER NRW, chambers and business development institutions).

The guidelines of the NRW business advisory programme as well as a model contract can be found in our  download area. download area.

You can find further information for those interested in setting up a business on the website of the IHK and ther LGH.

The “funding entrepreneurial expertise” scheme can subsidise consultancy fees for young entrepreneurs in their start-up and consolidation phase, that is to say, within the first two years of starting up. Further information, such as for the application, can be obtained from the approved regional partners (STARTERCENTER NRW, chambers and business development institutions) or online.

The state of North Rhine-Westphalia provides grants of up to 16,000 euros to master craftsmen and women who are starting their own business for the first time and creating jobs in the process. In addition to a basic grant of up to 11,500 euros, a bonus of 2,000 euros may be awarded for taking over an existing business. Furthermore, female master craftsmen receive a bonus of 2,500 euros when starting a business in craft trades where women are still significantly underrepresented. The bonus may be granted in addition to other forms of support. The application must be submitted to the relevant Chamber of Crafts before commencing self-employment. Further information is available from the State Trade Promotion Agency for the Crafts Sector in North Rhine-Westphalia (LGH).

With the ‘Go-to-Market Voucher’, the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia supports young start-ups in the development of prototypes for digital products. Grants of up to 35,000 euros are available for this. Start-ups are important for the digital and sustainable transformation of the economy as they drive forward innovative technologies and solutions. A good prototype is crucial for a successful market launch. As young start-up teams often do not have all the necessary skills for prototype development, they need to bring in external experts at an early stage. These experts are co-financed by the funding.

At a glance

Who:
Micro-enterprises, start-ups and business founders based in North Rhine-Westphalia

What:
Development of an innovative idea into a prototype of a digital product

How:
One-stage application procedure

Further information on the Go-To-Market voucher and the application process, as well as dates and deadlines, can be found online.

Das Gründungsstipendium.NRW des Ministeriums für Wirtschaft, Industrie, Klimaschutz und Energie des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (MWIKE) eröffnet dir die Chance, dich ganz auf dein Gründungsvorhaben zu konzentrieren und mit deiner innovativen Geschäftsidee in die Gründungsszene deiner Region einzusteigen: Bis zu drei Gründerinnen oder Gründer erhalten 1.200 Euro monatlich pro Person für ein Jahr und ein Coaching.

Besondere Unterstützung gibt es für alle, die während des Stipendiums Eltern werden.

Mit einem zusätzlichen Baustein des Gründungsstipendiums, dem Gründungsstipendium.NRW Diversität+, haben geschlechterdiverse Gründungsteams die Möglichkeit auf einen Zuschuss von einmalig bis zu 3.600 Euro pro Person. Alle Stipendiatinnen und Stipendiaten von geschlechterdiversen Gründungsteams, die das Unternehmen während des Stipendiums neu gründen, können zukünftig 1.500 Euro statt 1.200 Euro pro Monat erhalten – ausgezahlt in Form einer Einmalzahlung.